Thirvanthapuram , or Trivandrum , the capital city of God Own Country is the southern most district of Kerala . The beautiful Seaside city build on seven hills is ancient city that offers all the modern facilities to the traveler and is also a centre of cultural activities . Simulated just 80 km away from the southern tip of the Indian peninsula , it offers a number of travel options with good facilities in accommodation connectivity and scenic sports Apart from the world famous kovalam beach , the place has beautiful backwaters hills stations , temples , palaces , architecture , heritage walk etc all of which mesmerize the visitor.

Major tourist attractions here include Sri Padmanabha swami temple , Kanakakunnu Plalce , Vizhinjam , the Science and Technology museum , the government secretariat , Kowdiar place ,senate house Veli lagoon Ponmudi hill station , Vettukad Church , Koyikkal palace at Nedumangod , Sankhumugham beach , Aruvikkara ,Beema Palli Anchuthengu Fort, Napier , Mueseum etc .The city is well connected to all parts of India by road Rail and air flights to international destinations are also available.

Sight Seeing Places:

Government Art Museum

This museum has much to impress the visitor with. Built in an exquisite blend of Kerala, Mughal, Chinese and Italian styles of architecture, the museum is also known as the Napier Museum after the erstwhile Governor General of Madras John Napier. This 19th century building boasts of a unique natural air-conditioning system and the displays include exquisite bronzes, ancient ornaments and costumes, ivory carvings and musical instruments, and a whole temple chariot.

Puttan Malika Palace Museum

Built by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balrama Verma of Travancore, an accomplished poet and musician, the traditional Travancore style museum is made better with its exquisite woodcarvings. There is a priceless art collection among other exhibits and the palace also hosts an annual classical music festival between 27th January and 3rd February.

Sree Chitra Art Gallery

Located in the museum compound is this Art Gallery featuring an eclectic collection of works by Roerich and Raja Ravi Verma. This of course is only among the many other paintings from the Mughal, Rajput, Bengal and Tanjore schools of art. There is also a fabulous collection of oriental art from the Far East and Bali.

The Zoological Gardens With a setting that includes woodlands and beautiful lakes, this is arguably one of Asia's best laid-out zoos. Whether it is love for the animals or just a need for a good day out, this is an excellent place to visit.

Indian School of Martial Arts (ISMA)

A definite must see is the ISMA, which continues to preserve and impart training in the 5,000-year-old martial art of Kerala - Kalarippayattu. Established in 1983 it is in Vazhuthacaud in the heart of the city. A three-storied building, the main attraction is the traditional kalari - the arena for practicing the art, built 10 ft below ground level. ISMA is also a renowned healing centre where the traditional kalarichikitsa - an exclusive branch of medicine - has been practiced for years. The rare collection of olagranthas - palm leaf manuscripts also makes it a place with historical value.

Varkala

Located at 40 km north of Thiruvananthapuram city,A quiet, secluded stretch of sand, the Papanasam beach in Varkala is known for its mineral springs and rocky cliffs. The 2000 year old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple and the Nature Care Centre are the two main attractions of Varkala. Read more about Varkala.

Aruvikkara Dam

Aruvikkara Dam ia located at about 23 km from the city of Kollam. This picturesque picnic spot is on the banks of the Karamana river. Near the Durga Temple here is a stream full of fish that fearlessly come close to the shore to be fed by the visitors. Boating facilities are available at the reservoir.

Kovalam

Twenty Five kilometers away from Thiruvananthapuram lies Kovalam, an internationally renowned beach. This internationally renowned beach resort has been a favourite haunt of tourists since the 1930s. Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent beaches. The southern most, known as the Lighthouse Beach, is the most popular. Read more about Kovalam.

Padmanabhapuram Palace

Padmanabhapuram Palace is located 64 km from Thiruvananthapuram, is a magnificent wooden palace of the 16th century, Padmanabhapuram Palace lies at the land's end of mainland India. An enticing piece to any lover of art and architecture this old palace of the Rajas of the erstwhile Travancore (1550 to 1750 AD) is a fine specimen of Kerala's indigenous style of architecture. The antique interiors are replete with intricate rosewood carvings and sculptured decor. The palace also contains 17th and 18th century murals. One can see: the musical bow in mahogany, windows with coloured mica, royal chairs with Chinese carvings, 'Thaikkottaram' or the Queen Mother's palace with painted ceilings, rose wood and teak carved ceilings with 90 different floral designs. Durbar Hall with a shiny black floor specially made from a combination of egg white, jaggery lime, burnt coconut, charcoal and river sand, granite tubs to cool curd and buttermilk, secret underground passages, the King's bedroom with a four poster medicinal bed, mural paintings, pictures of Lord Krishna, hanging brass lanterns lit continuously since the 18th century, hanging cage through which eagles tore criminals to death, open air swimming bath, the King's sister's dressing room, granite dance hall, Saraswathi (goddess of knowledge) temple, large earthen urns, room for scribes and accountants, carved figures on columns holding oil lamps, pooja (worship) rooms with jackfruit tree columns, fish carvings on the ceilings, enormous teak beams, Belgian mirrors and an outer cyclopean stone wall fitted together without mortar, Though the palace is situated in Kanyakumari district of Tamilnadu State, it comes under the purview of the Government of Kerala's administration.